Esperion Taps TransGenRx for Protein Production to Support HDL-Related Research

High-expressing avian cell line combined with a patented vector system will be used.

TransGenRx has agreed to produce protein-based therapeutics for Esperion Therapeutics to use in its research efforts targeting HDL therapies for the treatment of cardio-metabolic disease. TransGenRx will coordinate manufacturing for a range of research needs using a its expression system.

TransGenRx uses a high-expressing avian cell line combined with a patented vector system. The company says that it is able to develop custom proteins at reduced costs to meet a wide range of specifications. The company’s core technology involves the targeted integration of a desired gene sequence into virtually any animal or cell culture system and the controlled expression of that sequence to achieve a desired outcome.

“While HDL continues to show great promise in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, there have been significant challenges in the development of protein-based drug therapies,” notes Roger Newton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Esperion. “By working with the outstanding research and technology team at TransGenRx, we are positioned to access one of the most advanced, cost-effective protein-expression technologies in the world to supply the protein-based therapies we will use in our research.”

Esperion’s pipeline includes therapies designed to mimic or enhance the function of HDL in managing and removing cholesterol and other lipids from atherosclerotic plaques. The firm has initiated preclinical and clinical research related to a variety of pathways for better lipid regulation.

On June 14, Esperion established a research agreement with the Cleveland Clinic Foundation to advance research involving HDL mimetics and other protein-based therapies to treat cardiovascular disease.